Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-04-23
lAeRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1864.
| New Actor en- the Political Field--On
the Stump in Illinois.

the e.Stump in Illinois.
But now new actor came forward on
the political stage in central Illinois; or
rather, an old favorite reappeared. This
was Abraham Lincoln. Since his return
to Springfield from his single term of SER
vice to congress, 1847 to 1S49, though by
no means entirely withdrawn from poll
tics, his active work had been greatly
diminished. His congressional life had
largely increased the horizon of his obser-
vation. PERHAPS it had also extended the
bounds of his ambition. Hehaddoubtless
discovered many of his own defects, and
not unlikely had diligently Sought to
remedy them. The period following had
dpr him been years. of work, study and re-
neetiOn. His profession of law had be-
CORE 4 deeper science and a higher re-
sponsihility. His practice, receiving his
undivide@ attention, brought him mos
important and more renumerative cases
Losing nothing of his genial humor his
character took on the dignity Of a graver
manhood, He was still in the center and
the idol of every social group he encoun-
tered, whether on the street or in the par
lor. Serene and buoyant of temper, cor
dial and winning of language, CHARITABLE
and tolerant of opinion, his very presence
diffused a glow of confidence and kind
ness. Wherever he went he left an ever
widening ripple Of smiles, jests and laugh
ter. His radiant good fellowship was BEL
loved and sought alike by political Oh
.ponents and partisan friends. His stglIGl
and delicate integrity, recognized ~faf ami
wide, had long since won him tie blunt
hearty sobriquet Of Honest old Abe. u
But it became noticeable that of late years
be was less among the crowd and more in
the solitude of his Office or his study, and
that he seemed ever in haste to leave the
/ eager circle he was entertaining.
1t was in the midsummer of 1854 that
we find him reappearing on the. stump in
central Illinois. The rural population
always welcomed his oratory, made up of
ready wit, apt illustration, simple state
ment forcible logic His diction was
familiar to the ear, his stories were racy
of the soil. He never lacked for invita-
tions to address the public. His first
speeches on the, new and all absorbing topic
were made in the neighboring town and in
the counties adjoining his own. Toward the
end of August the candidates for congress
in that district were, in western phrase,
ION the track. Yates, afterward one of
the famous ''war governors, sought re-
election as a Wing. Harris as q Douglas
Democrat, strove to supplant him. Local
politics became active, and Lincoln was
sent for in all directions to addresAkhe
people. When he went, howeIA6 Ile
distinctly announced that he did pur-
pose to take up his time with this personal
and congressional controversy. His in
tention was to discuss the principles of the
Nebraska bill
Once launched upon this theme mel
sarSssS n.rprised to find him imbued with q
s,ores hd unwonted seriousness. They
- from his lips fewer anecdotes and
IN history. Careless listeners who
caIEe7 b laugh at his jokes sat spellbound
by the strong current of his reasoning
| and the flashes of his earnest eloquence
| and were lifted up by the range and tenor
of his argument into fresher and pureI
| political atmosphere.-Th Century.